Pet Scoop: World’s Smallest Bionic Dog, Kitten Saved From Mercedes

Chihuahua to Be World’s Smallest Bionic Dog

Born with only three feet, Peggy Leg, a rescue Chihuahua in Albuquerque, N.M., will soon be able to walk just like all her four-legged friends. Researchers at North Carolina State University have agreed to fit Peggy with a ground-breaking titanium prosthetic for free, making her the smallest bionic pooch on the planet — and hopefully paving the way for these implants to help American amputees. "Together we hope to not only help Peggy, but promote a new type of prosthesis that will help our soldiers that are so much in need," said Mary Jewell of Enchantment Chihuahua Rescue, where Peggy resides. –Read it at Huffington Post

Fisherman Hauls in Rare Blue Lobster

A lobster boat captain in Canada had a one in a million experience — or make that one in two million, according to the University of Maine Lobster Institute. He caught a blue lobster in his net. In his 33 years of lobster fishing, "this is the only one that I've ever seen," Bobby Stoddard said. Experts say a genetic variation causes the lobster to produce an excessive amount of a particular protein that gives it the bright blue hue. For now the animal is living in the boat captain's office feeding on bits of fish and mollusks as normal, but it may eventually live at an aquarium. –Read it at CNN

More Dog Owners Taking Their Pets To Work

Next Friday may be Take Your Dog To Work Day, but it’s just another day at the office for the 1.4 million pet owners who already do just that. Some of the nation’s largest employees, like Google, Inc. and Amazon.com, encourage workers to bring their canine companions right into their cubicles on a daily basis — and other companies are quickly following suit. –Read it at MSNBC

Photographer Saves Kitten From Moving Mercedes

When photographer Antonio Rosario heard a cat crying on a drive out to the beach, he thought it must be in an alley he was passing by — then he saw the kitten’s face peering out from where a turn signal light should have been on the car next to him. The terrified calico cat was trapped inside of the engine of the Mercedes S550, and the driver had no idea. Rosario flagged the driver down and effectively saved the cat’s life. The kitten is the newest member of Rosario's family and is now affectionately named “Mercedes.” –Read it at MSNBC

Giant tortoises call it quits after 115 years together

Zibi and Poldi, giant tortoise residents of an Austrian zoo had been by each other’s side for a blissful 115 years — until Bibi attacked her life mate, biting off a chunk of his shell. It might have been just a lover’s quarrel, but it’s one that seems to have ended the relationship, as the estranged pair now refuses to share a cage together.

"We get the feeling they can't stand the sight of each other anymore," says zoo director Helga Happ. –Watch it at CNN or read more on Crittr.com

Giant Reef Fish Discovered Butting Heads

During a routine dive in the North Pacific, marine scientists were startled by a loud sound, similar to the sound of a spear gun shot. The surprising source? Giant male parrotfish delivering head to head knocks to each other, along the lines of the head-butting of bighorn sheep — a ritual that until now had never been observed by humans, or even known to occur. Researchers believe the fish participate in the head-butting to establish dominance and advertise their availability for mating to females. – ead it at Discovery